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In an effort to avoid any awkwardness during the season, Ales Hemsky and Craig MacTavish had a joint, awkward, media availability Wednesday instead.

The two came together to clear the air after MacTavish was unable to trade away the talented winger this summer.

Hemsky will be back with the Oilers this season, and according to MacTavish, is no longer on the trade market.

“I wanted to have this availability for a couple of reasons,” said MacTavish, standing beside Hemsky.

“There has been some interest about this situation since the end of the year. I talked to Ales a few times over the summer when I felt like we were going to bring him back and he was very open to coming back.

“Never once in my conversation has he asked to be traded. Most people know the situation that happened.

“At the end of the year, Ales and I sat down and I advised him at that point that I thought it would be possibly in both of our best interest to move in separate directions.”

An Oiler for over 10 years, Hemsky was open to a fresh start.

He probably welcomed it, considering how things have gone in the past few seasons.

Yet, despite entertaining some offers from other clubs, none came close to what MacTavish felt was fair value for the Czech.

“I really found, at the end of the day with Ales, that I had a greater appreciation of him and his skill-set than most people have, that I talked to,” said MacTavish.

“I’ve seen him at his best, so that’s why I have a great appreciation of what he does.

“It’s been seven years since our last playoff game, but I don’t remember having one issue with Ales at all that year. The year we went to the final he was, in my mind, spectacular. So, if this team turns around, Ales will have a very prominent role in that. ”

Hemsky, 30, finished with nine goals and 11 assists in 38 games last season. He comes into camp healthy fit and motivated, with an eye on the 2014 Olympics.

“I’m looking at this like a fresh start,” Hemsky said. “We have a new coach and we want to turn things around. It’s a fresh start for me. I’ve been through this for a long time and I just want to put this behind me and focus on this year”

As far as Hemsky is concerned, there are no hard feelings with MacTavish. The fact he was unable to, doesn’t seem to be an issue either.

“There was a lot of frustration and I understand the process,” Hemsky said.

“We hadn’t made the playoffs in the last seven years and it’s hard for everybody. But I told Mac that I would do whatever they want and whatever they feel is best for the team.

“We had a couple of talks and it is what it is now. I’m back, I’m happy to be back and I just want to help the team turn things around, try to be a leader and help the young guys.”

Despite the emergence several of young, talented players, MacTavish believes there’s still room for Hemsky to contribute.

“For me, it’s important that I offer Ales the same opportunity that I offer any player that walks through our door at training camp,” MacTavish said.

“That’s to come in and compete on a level playing field. It’s up to Ales, as it’s up to Taylor Hall and Denis Grebeshkov and all the players in our locker room to establish their value with the team.

“We certainly offer Ales that same opportunity.

“Sometimes the best deals are the ones you don’t make and I view potentially this as being one of those.”

As Advertised in the Edmonton SUN

Double awkward for Edmonton Oilers GM Craig MacTavish and Ales Hemsky

In an effort to avoid any awkwardness during the season, Ales Hemsky and Craig MacTavish had a joint, awkward, media availability Wednesday instead.

The two came together to clear the air after MacTavish was unable to trade away the talented winger this summer.

Hemsky will be back with the Oilers this season, and according to MacTavish, is no longer on the trade market.

“I wanted to have this availability for a couple of reasons,” said MacTavish, standing beside Hemsky.

“There has been some interest about this situation since the end of the year. I talked to Ales a few times over the summer when I felt like we were going to bring him back and he was very open to coming back.

“Never once in my conversation has he asked to be traded. Most people know the situation that happened.

“At the end of the year, Ales and I sat down and I advised him at that point that I thought it would be possibly in both of our best interest to move in separate directions